Islamic military coalition delegation in Pakistan to strengthen counterterrorism cooperation

Pakistan delegation are attending a ceremony to celebrate Independence Day in the presence of IMCTC Secretary General, Member States’ delegates and personnel on August 14, 2023. (IMCTC/File)
Short Url
Updated 02 February 2026
Follow

Islamic military coalition delegation in Pakistan to strengthen counterterrorism cooperation

  • Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition is a 43-member alliance formed to consolidate Muslim countries’ efforts in countering “terrorism”
  • IMCTC’s 17-member delegation will inaugurate a special training program aimed at countering “terrorism” during week-long visit, says state media 

ISLAMABAD: A 17-member delegation of the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition (IMCTC) is undertaking a week-long visit to Pakistan, aimed at strengthening joint efforts and cooperation against “terrorism,” Pakistani state media reported on Monday. 

The IMCTC is a 43-member military alliance that was formed on Saudi Arabia’s initiative in December 2015 to consolidate Muslim countries’ efforts in countering “terrorism.” The alliance features Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, Afghanistan, Egypt, Jordan, Qatar, Palestine, UAE, Bangladesh and other Muslim nations. 

“The purpose of the visit is to strengthen joint efforts and cooperation in the fight against terrorism,” state broadcaster Radio Pakistan reported. “The visit of the delegation symbolizes a strong alliance between the Islamic world in the fight against terrorism.”

The IMCTC delegation will be led by its Secretary General Mohammed bin Saeed Al-Moghedi, Radio Pakistan said. It will also inaugurate a special training program aimed at countering “terrorism” during its visit, the state broadcaster said.

Pakistan’s former army chief Gen. (retd) Raheel Shareef was appointed as the IMCTC commander-in-chief in 2017.

Pakistan enjoys cordial ties with most Muslim countries around the world, particularly Gulf Cooperation Council countries. In September 2025, Pakistan signed a landmark defense pact with Saudi Arabia according to which an act of aggression against one country will be treated as an act of aggression against both.


One dead, four injured as gas cylinder explosion triggers fire in Karachi building

Updated 22 February 2026
Follow

One dead, four injured as gas cylinder explosion triggers fire in Karachi building

  • Fire triggered by gas cylinder explosion in Karachi’s Bismillah Residency in North Nazimabad area, say police
  • Many households in Pakistan rely on liquefied petroleum gas cylinders which are susceptible to gas explosions

ISLAMABAD: One person was killed while four others were injured in Pakistan’s southern port city of Karachi after a gas cylinder exploded, triggering a fire inside a residential building, police and rescue officials said on Sunday.

The fire was caused on Saturday night by a gas cylinder explosion at a flat in Bismillah Residency located in Karachi’s North Nazimabad area, Sindh Police said in a statement. Local media reports said the flat was located on the ninth floor of the high-rise building.

Rescue 1122 Sindh emergency service said its firefighters arrived shortly after the fire was reported and doused the flames on Sunday morning. It said all of the building’s occupants, except for the one person who was killed by the fire, were rescued.

“The child who died in the fire that broke out following a cylinder blast in a building has been identified as Burhan, son of Aoun, aged 15,” Rescue 1122 spokesperson said in a statement.

It said the injured included two women, one man and a four-year-old girl.

“All the injured were shifted to hospital after receiving immediate medical aid, and the rescue operation has been completed,” the spokesperson added.

This is the second such explosion to take place in Karachi in less than a week. At least 15 people were killed, including women and children, when a gas cylinder exploded in a residential building in the city’s Soldier Bazaar area on Thursday.

Most houses and apartment buildings in Karachi, like elsewhere in Pakistan, are supplied with natural gas for cooking. However, many households also rely on liquefied petroleum gas cylinders because of low natural gas pressure.

In July, a gas explosion following a wedding reception at a home in Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad, killed eight people, including the bride and groom.

A massive fire at a popular shopping mall in Karachi last month killed over 70 people.